QC Microbiology Lab Supervisor: Aseptic Manufacturing

Baxter International Inc.; Round Lake (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Baxter International Inc. in Round Lake, IL, seeks a QC Microbiology Lab Lead to provide leadership and technical oversight for aseptic manufacturing operations, including environmental monitoring, bioburden, endotoxin, sterility, and water testing.

You will lead investigations, support regulatory inspections and audits, and ensure inspection readiness. Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with 5–7 years of QC Microbiology experience and supervisory background are required.

Qualifications

• Must not be allergic to Penicillin and Cephalosporin.
• Strong supervisory and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Knowledge of USP guidelines and aseptic processing regulatory expectations.
• Experience supporting FDA inspections and regulatory activities.
• Knowledge of contamination control and environmental monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Provide microbiological oversight for aseptic manufacturing operations, including environmental monitoring programs, contamination control initiatives, and process monitoring activities.
• Provide clear communication regarding goals, expectations, and daily priorities; collaborate with other supervisors and management to ensure alignment and elevate risks.
• Train, certify, coach, and develop laboratory personnel; manage performance evaluations and corrective counseling in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with ALCOA+ principles, data integrity requirements, electronic records requirements, and applicable laboratory procedures.
• Ensure timely completion and review of environmental monitoring, bioburden, bacterial endotoxin, sterility, and water testing in support of manufacturing operations and product release.
• Ensure laboratory personnel recognize, contain, document, and elevate quality related deviations or nonconformances in a timely manner.
• Lead and approve microbiological investigations involving environmental monitoring excursions, sterility failures, bioburden excursions, endotoxin results, contamination events, laboratory deviations, and out of specification events while ensuring scientifically sound product impact and risk assessments. Utilize structured root cause analysis tools and Quality Risk Management principles to identify causes and implement effective CAPAs.
• Assist in implementing quality and regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA, GLP, QSR, cGMP, and USP rules and guidelines) and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and specifications.
• Act as a primary laboratory representative during FDA, MOH, corporate, customer, and third-party audits. Support audit preparation, inspection readiness activities, response development, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Review and trend microbiological data to identify emerging risks, process shifts, adverse trends, and opportunities for continuous improvement. Communicate microbiological risks and recommendations to site leadership.
• Prepare, review, and revise standard operating procedure and specifications.
• Ensure equipment maintenance and calibration are performed on schedule.
• Ensure laboratory operations remain inspection ready through adherence to procedures, completion of training, timely closure of quality records, and maintenance of laboratory documentation.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology

Tools

LIMS

Trend analysis

Job description

Baxter International Inc. in Round Lake, IL, seeks a QC Microbiology Lab Lead to provide leadership and technical oversight for aseptic manufacturing operations, including environmental monitoring, bioburden, endotoxin, sterility, and water testing.

You will lead investigations, support regulatory inspections and audits, and ensure inspection readiness. Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with 5–7 years of QC Microbiology experience and supervisory background are required.